KDP Book Listing Metadata: A Practical Checklist

Check each listing field

• Title and subtitle: Use the actual title shown on the cover. Avoid adding unrelated search terms or promotional claims.
• Description: State what kind of book it is, who it is for, and what the reader can expect. Do not promise content or outcomes the book does not provide.
• Keywords: Think of relevant phrases a reader might use. Every term should describe the book; do not add competitors, unrelated trends, or misleading claims.
• Categories and audience: Choose the closest accurate options for the actual book and intended reader. Available choices can depend on the title setup and marketplace.
• Format details: Check the details for each edition rather than assuming paperback, hardcover, and Kindle records are identical.

Use reader language without keyword stuffing

Write the title and description for a person deciding whether the book fits their needs. Use keywords to add accurate context that is not already clear from other fields; do not repeat long lists of phrases in the description. Misleading or irrelevant metadata can frustrate readers and may violate KDP's policies.

Before submitting, compare the book details with the final cover and interior. If you change the contents or format, review the listing again so the product page still describes the book readers will receive.

Final checklist

1. Read the title and description beside the cover and confirm that they describe the same book.
2. Remove claims, keywords, or category choices that are not supported by the finished content.
3. Check the current field guidance for your book format and marketplace.
4. Review every edition in your KDP account before submitting changes.

Use Amazon's current metadata guidelines, keyword guidance, category guidance, and book-description guidance as the final authority. The Book Catalogue Preview creates an illustrative mock for review; it is not an Amazon listing.

Common questions